Frame and frame hanging system

ABSTRACT

A frame for the display of a picture or other object includes a front side, a back side configured to abut a surface, and a perimeter formed between and around the front and back sides. The perimeter includes an internal side and an external side. A first groove is disposed in a portion of the internal side of the perimeter for receiving a backing for the picture or other object, and a second groove disposed in a portion of the internal side of the perimeter and spaced from the first groove, the second groove being adapted to receive securing members so that the frame may be hung flush with a wall or other surface.

BACKGROUND

Frames are commonly used in homes and offices to hang pictures, drawings, paintings, and other objects. When it comes to hanging a picture frame, getting the frame as flush against the wall as possible is desirable for stability and aesthetics.

Various systems or methods are used to hang picture frames. These include, among others, wires adapted to hang on picture hooks. Also, frames can be fitted with a metal strip having a saw-tooth edge adapted to rest on one or more nails, or the frame may have tabs with holes adapted to receive a hook or nail. None of these systems allow the frame to be mounted flush with the wall. Some frames may be hung by first inserting nails into the wall and then balancing an inner portion of the frame on the nails. This system, however, tends to be unstable.

It is therefore desirable to provide a frame and a method or system of hanging a frame, which overcomes the foregoing disadvantages.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a frame for the display of an object comprises a front side, a back side configured to abut a surface, and a perimeter formed between and around the front and back sides. The perimeter includes an internal side and an external side. A groove is disposed in a portion of the internal side of the perimeter relative to the back side so that it may receive at least one securing member projecting from the surface. In another embodiment, a frame for the display of an object comprises a front side, a back side configured to abut a surface, and a perimeter formed between and around the front and back sides. The perimeter includes an internal side and an external side. A first groove is disposed in a portion of the internal side of the perimeter. A second groove is disposed in a portion of an internal side of the perimeter and spaced from the first groove. The second groove is disposed closer to the back side than the first groove and is adapted to receive at least one securing member projecting from the surface. The foregoing embodiments permit the frame to be hung substantially flush with the abutting surface.

In another embodiment, a method of hanging a frame having a front side, a back side, a perimeter formed between and around the front and back sides, and a groove disposed in a portion of the internal side of the perimeter, comprises the steps of: attaching a first securing member to a surface on which the frame is to be hung, the first securing member projecting a distance from the surface substantially equal to a distance from the back side of the frame to the groove; attaching a second securing member to the surface, the second securing member projecting at the same distance from the surface as the first securing member; and placing the frame on the surface such that a portion of each of the securing members rests within the groove and the back side of the frame is substantially flush with the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a frame according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear view of the frame of FIG. 1 with the backing removed.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear view of the frame of FIG. 1 with the backing inserted.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the frame hanging on a wall.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the above-described drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A frame 10 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-4. The frame 10 has a generally rectangular body, but may have any shape known in the art including, square, triangular, circular, or polygonal. The frame 10 may be made of any suitable material, such as wood, metal, or plastic. The frame 10 includes a back side 11 which is configured to abut a wall 1 on which the frame is to be hung and a front side 12 which faces outwardly from the wall 1.

From the front side 12 to the back side 11, the frame 10 may include an outer, transparent glass or plastic layer 13; a photograph or image to be displayed (not shown); a cardboard or paper mat 14 to surround the periphery of the photograph or image; and a backing 15, often made of cardboard or other rigid material, disposed to the rear of the mat 14 and securing the image in the frame 10 by being coupled to the frame. The mat 14 and backing 15 may optionally be combined as one layer. The backing 15 may be coupled to the frame 10 by being fitted into a part of the first groove 21 formed in the inner periphery of the frame 10, and may be held in place by sliding retainers or hooks that slide into the first groove 21.

The frame also includes a second groove 22 spaced from the first groove 21. The second groove 22 is generally parallel with the first groove 21 and is positioned outwards of the first groove 21 relative to the back side 11 of the frame. Thus, the second groove 22 is positioned to be closer to the wall 1 on which the frame 10 is to be hung. The second groove 22 may extend around an entire inner perimeter of the frame 10, or may extend around a partial length of the inner perimeter. Advantageously, the second groove 22 extends at least partially along each of the inner sides of the periphery of the frame 10 so that the frame 10 may be hung securely in several different orientations.

To ensure a secure and flush alignment of the frame 10 with the wall 1, a securing member (e.g., a nail head) attached to the wall 1 on which the frame 10 is to be hung should project a distance approximately equal to the distance the second groove 22 is spaced from the back side 11 of the frame 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the second groove 22 may be disposed about 1/16″ to ¼″ from the back side 11 of the frame 10. The width of the second groove 22 may vary so long as it is slightly larger than a thickness of the nail head to ensure sufficient stability. The second groove 22 may have any non-zero distance from the first groove 21, depending on the thickness of the frame 10.

To hang the frame 10, a user preferably places at least two securing members (e.g., nails) into a wall forming a straight line along which the frame 10 will be attached to the wall. The nails project from the wall at approximately the same distance as each other and the same distance as the distance between the back side 11 of the frame 10 to the second groove 22. The user then hangs the frame 10 on the wall 1 so that the nail heads enter into the second groove 22 along the chosen top side of the frame and the frame 10 hangs securely and flush with the wall 1.

While the exemplary frame is provided with both an outward 22 and an inward 21 groove, the frame 10 can be provided with only the outward groove 22, which is adapted to receive the hanging nails or other suitable hanging device.

While embodiments of the invention disclosed herein describe picture frames, one skilled in art should recognize that alternative configurations may be employed without deviating from the scope of the invention. 

1. A frame for display of an object, the frame comprising: a front side; a back side configured to abut a surface; a perimeter formed between and around the front and back sides, the perimeter including an internal side and an external side; and a groove disposed in a portion of an internal side of the perimeter, the groove being located relative to the back side so that it can receive at least one securing member projecting from the surface, whereby the frame may be hung substantially flush with the abutting surface.
 2. A frame for display of an object, the frame comprising: a front side; a back side configured to abut a surface; a perimeter formed between and around the front and back sides, the perimeter including an internal side and an external side; and a first groove disposed in a portion of the internal side of the perimeter. a second groove disposed in a portion of an internal side of the perimeter and spaced from the first groove, the second groove being disposed closer to the back side than the first groove and adapted to receive at least one securing member.
 3. The frame of claim 2, wherein the first groove is substantially parallel to the second groove.
 4. The frame of claim 1, wherein the first groove is disposed around an entirety of the internal side of the perimeter.
 5. The frame of claim 2, wherein the first groove is disposed around an entirety of the internal side of the perimeter.
 6. The frame of claim 2, further comprising a top side disposed between the front side and the back side, wherein the second groove extends along at least a partial length of an internal side of the top side.
 7. The frame of claim 2, wherein the second groove extends along at least a partial length of each of the perimeter of the frame so that the frame may be hung in multiple orientations.
 8. The frame of claim 2, wherein the second groove is disposed approximately 1/16″ to ¼″ from the back side of the frame.
 9. The frame of claim 2, wherein the frame is rectangular, and the second groove extends along at least a partial length of each of four internal sides of the perimeter of the frame.
 10. A method of hanging a frame having a front side, a back side, a perimeter formed between and around the front and back sides, and a groove disposed in a portion of the internal side of the perimeter, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a first securing member to a surface on which the frame is to be hung, the first securing member projecting a distance from the surface substantially equal to a distance from the back side of the frame to the groove; attaching a second securing member to the surface, the second securing member projecting at the same distance from the surface as the first securing member; and placing the frame on the surface such that a portion of each of the securing members rest within the groove and the back side of the frame is substantially flush with the surface.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising a second groove disposed in a portion of the internal side of the perimeter between the front side of the frame and the first groove. 